Edmonton healthcare workers create 'Doctors Against Tragedies' game about dangers of fentanyl

A group of Edmonton doctors hascreated a new take on the popular Cards Against Humanity game. They developed "Doctors Against Tragedies" aspart of a campaign to teach people about the risks of fentanyluse.

The group of healthcare workers noticed a growing number of organ donations coming from people who had overdosed on the drug, prompting the idea for the educational game.

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One of the game's foundersspent months researching ways to inform people about the dangers of fentanyl but she didn't want to use fear tactics.

Dr.MichikoMaruyama researched board games popular withyoung people, settling on the racy Cards Against Humanitymodel.

"I looked at a game that already grabs the attention of users and how to use that concept of that game to bring about fentanyl awareness and fentanyl education," she said.

After getting the go-ahead from Cards Against Humanity creators tomirror the game's style, the team of medical experts made their own version with help from colleagues across the country.

They came up with two versions of the game,Maruyamasaid. One features trivia questions suitable for people aged 12 and older. The second version is for adults, and mimics the casual tone of Cards Against Humanity.

Cards feature information about the signs of overdose and the risks of recreational fentanyl use.

"The focus of the campaign reallyis on young adults who may be using the drug recreationally and trying to give them good choices," said Dr. Cheryl Mack,one of the game's creators.

She said the doctors planto take thecard game to local schools to teach teenagers and university studentsabout the risks of using fentanyl recreationally.

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They also hopeto raise money to getthegameprinted professionally, so they can leave copies of itin pubs and coffee shops around Edmonton.

The Doctors Against Tragedies game is free for people to print online.